Newsroom

Pressure…it can be anywhere

Hall of fame golfer Lee Trevino once said, “Real pressure is playing a golf match for $10 and only having $5 in your pocket”

This might seem like pressure to golfer, but we guarantee a much more important type of pressure is in your body, and that is your blood pressure.

Why is blood pressure (BP) so important? BP puts you at risk for many future health problems. It puts extra strain on your arteries and your heart. This additional strain can cause your arteries to become thicker and less flexible or weaker. This makes them more likely to become clogged and can lead to a heart attack, stroke, dementia or kidney disease. These conditions can cause chronic health issues and substantially shorten your life.

What can you do to reduce your blood pressure and remain healthy? Here are some real basics you can do starting tomorrow and embrace forever. They aren’t complicated, there aren’t any weird diets, and the only investment they require is a little time and discipline.

Reduce your salt intake: This certainly means removing the salt from the dining table, but more importantly reducing your dependence on processed foods. These foods generally contain a very high salt content.

Eat fresh fruit and vegetables each day: Ideally eat five or more each day, starting right now! They contain potassium and that counters salt and helps to lower blood pressure.

Drink alcohol in moderation: Everyone has their own definition of moderation, but we believe you should avoid consuming alcohol every day of the week, and when you do, limit your intake to two or three per day, i.e., two or three glasses of wine, or highball, etc.

Get Active and stay active: Do something! Walk, run, cycle, whatever you like. At a minimum you must start moving. A simple twenty to thirty minute walk five times a week will do wonders for your heart and your weight, which brings us to….

Lose Weight if you are overweight: Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart. This is a very important risk factor and requires your undivided attention.

Alta Health Assists You-Alta strives to help you help yourself.

We recently published the Alta Health Group Healthy Cookbook. It contains 101 recipes that are not weird or complicated, but are healthy and made with healthy ingredients. The book is available at our Radio Road Clinic and free of charge to our patients. Just Walk-In

We also welcome all Alta Patients to stop in and get your Blood Pressure checked. No appointment necessary and no charge. You can visit us as often as you like. Just walk in and asked to have your BP checked and you’ll be headed out the door in five minutes…and we’ll note it in your chart. And, if you would like your weight checked at the same time, no problem.

Alta is dedicated to getting you healthy and keeping you healthy. We provide the tools and the encouragement.…you must do the rest.